Lily in the Shadows

Chapter 7 (Edited)

As the weeks go by Lily-Kathryn develops a routine. Eat breakfast, go to class, do homework during the break, practice ballet during her break before lunch, more classes, do some homework with Art and sometime Ari before dinner, have dinner, practice more after dinner, finish homework, and bed. By her side during these days are Ari and Art, they all developed a sort of group. They call themselves Salezar's Serpentine, their unique characteristics and parallel vibes giving them each a different angle to bring into the group. For example, on multiple occasions, they had each been complimented on the different colors of their own eyes, Kathryn's green, Ari's blue, and Art's hazel.

This morning is the same as all of the rest. Lily-Kathryn wakes up promptly at 7:30, wakes Arianna and they prepare for the day. Deciding she wanted to look a little professional as well as be comfortable, Lily puts on a white long-sleeve button-up tucked into black jeans with green hightops. Once they are ready the two make their way to the common room, Claude tucked under Ari's arm; at first, they were all nervous around him, but now he's part of the group. They meet Art in the common room, per usual, and they all head to the Great Hall for breakfast. Once breakfast is eaten they gather their things for class and part ways, Lily and Art head to Potions, while Ari goes to herbology.

The class went on as always, Snape asks Gryffindors questions they can't answer, Lily answers them, and they all make potions. Lily-Kathryn and Art sit together and work diligently. Art cuts their ingredients with a steady hand and Lily instructs him while adding things to their potion. They are the first done and get a head start on their homework. During the break, the three meet up and sit outside near the lake to work on homework.

Once the break is over it's back to class. The day continues in this way until the last class of the day is over, rushing back to her door Lily-Kathryn throws her school things on her bed and changes into a black leotard and matching leggings, grabbing her ballet flats she rushes out of the room and down to the small follie, hidden behind a wall of vines. The flatness of the cobblestone provides a lovely space to practice, she warms up with prancing, jumping jacks, hip rolls, shoulder rolls, butterfly stretches, and splits. After she's warmed up she goes over to a section of the courtyard where the wall sticks out, making a perfect makeshift bar. Doing her bar stretches she then practices skills her dance teacher taught her before dinner. The whole process takes about forty minutes to an hour, depending on how thorough she wishes to be.

Once she completes her daily practice she puts back on her robe and goes to the great hall for dinner. She walks over to the Slytherin table, sitting in the empty place between Draco and Art. "What's up, Buttercup, did you have a good practice?" Art asks, throwing an arm around Lily's shoulders.

"It went so well, I had a lot of fun. My pique turns are looking a lot more stable, so that's great." "I don't know what that means, but great job!" Art says, high-fiving her.

"So squirt, are you excited for your first Halloween at Hogwarts?" Draco asks, looking up from his meal.

"Yeah!! I can't wait, though I am a little nervous." She says, stabbing her fork into some bolognese. Taking a sip of her pumpkin juice she continues, "It'll be my first birthday without my auntie, and Harry isn't very happy with me right now. So, I don't know." The boys stare at her in shock. "Your birthday is on Halloween?!?!" They both exclaim.

"Well, yeah, I guess so. Auntie isn't exactly sure what day I was born on, but Dumbledore dropped me off on their doorstep on the 31st so, that's the day they took as my birthday."

"You couldn't have told us this sooner?! I have so much to plan and so little time to do so. Your party will be phenomenal, just leave everything to me, alright? Arty is going to make this the best party of the year. See what I did there, Arty, Party I am so funny." Art laughs at his joke.

Moving on from the awkwardness of the terrible puns, Lily-Kathryn enjoys her dinner with the boys. They all go to the common room. Sitting at a table near the window the two begin their last homework assignments of the day. Lily tries to concentrate on her work, she really does, but it is difficult when every time she looks up a mermaid or some sort of underwater creature swims past the window leading to the black lake. Draco tries to help her concentrate but, in the end, she just gives up and goes to bed, worried yet excited about how her birthday will play out.